Founder, CEO & Chairman

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LAWRENCE E. ADJAH

***** ***** *****, *******, ** 75078 • 212-***-**** • ********@*************.*** PROFILE

Lawrence E. Adjah, MBA, M.Ed., M.Div., is a community leader, social entrepreneur, and ordained minister whose work sits at the intersection of relational health, social infrastructure, faith, and community innovation. As the Founder and CEO of the Family Dinner Foundation, he built one of the world’s largest belonging and relational wellness initiatives, connecting more than 50,000 young adults across 40 cities over a ten-year period through scalable models of shared meals, small-group formation, and mutual care. A Presidential Leadership Scholar (2024), former McKinsey consultant, and All-American athlete, Lawrence holds degrees from Harvard, Stanford, UT Austin, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He brings together theological depth, business strategy, and cross-sector fluency to address loneliness and social fragmentation at scale. His 5C Mutual Care Framework offers a replicable blueprint for relational ecosystems across cities, neighborhoods, health systems, universities, corporations, and churches. A best-selling author, his work serves individuals just as effectively as it strengthens communities at large. He is a trusted leader of leaders, known for a people-centered approach and a distinctive ability to unite strategic, systems-level problem-solving with theological insight, combining the business acumen and precision of a CEO with the interpersonal wisdom of a pastor. This uncommon combination enables him to bring depth, coherence, and direction to human challenges and opportunities across every environment, from individuals to institutions, for the common good.

EDUCATION

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Master of Business Administration 2010 – 2012

• Co-President of Black Business Students Association and Arbuckle Leadership Fellow

• Dean Garth Saloner’s Course Assistant for 1st Year MBA Strategic Management Course Harvard University

Bachelor of Arts, Social Anthropology 2002 – 2006

• President – Harvard Black Students Association,

• Newsmaker of the Year – Harvard Crimson; Man of the Year – Association of Black Harvard Women,

• Harvard Men’s Track & Field – All-Ivy League & All East in the Triple Jump; NCAA Qualifier, Trained for Athens Olympics in Decathlon (Former All-American & HS National Champion in Pentathlon) University of Texas at Austin

Master of Education, Sports Management 2006 – 2007

• Longhorn Scholar, Accelerated completion of 2yr Master’s Program, Recipient - Full-Scholarship Graduate Student-Athlete, Track & Field

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity 2016 – 2019

• Recipient of Preaching Award Presented by Dr. Matthew D. Kim. Associate Professor of Preaching and Ministry, Director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching

• Recipient of John D. Tate Award granted to a graduating seminarian who is called to serve in ordained pastoral ministry who exemplifies Christian maturity, good scholarship and a firm resolve to serve Jesus Christ as Lord.

EXECUTIVE & STRATEGY LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

McKinsey & Company

Senior Associate + Engagement Manager 2007-2009, 2014-2015

• Served 10+ clients in 11 engagements, across 4 industries and 8 different functions in 3 continents -- Asia, Africa & NA – primary industry focus: Media & Entertainment practice – function: growth strategy 2

• Advised top North American professional sports organization and helped streamline and reduce purchasing spending by $30M – identified as firm travel procurement expert – New York, NY

• Developed emerging market strategy for a top pharmaceutical MNC in Shanghai and helped to create national malaria implementation strategy for Nigerian Ministry of Health and national government – Abuja, Nigeria

Adjah

Managing Director 2012 – Current

• Identified, evaluated and managed new and existing sports, media and entertainment properties for a sports marketing agency that negotiated ~$100M worth of sponsorship relationships

• Advised 3rd largest cinema chain operator in the world on its digital growth and marketing strategy, specifically, leveraging social media to increase consumer engagement and increase on-site visitations

(lead to 300% increase in onsite visitations)

• Co-developed 5-year growth strategy for multi-billion-dollar consumer packaged goods company

• Advised international media company on monetization of its leading TV properties across digital assets

• Developed and Executed Strategy to grow Direct-to-Consumer Business for Luxury Home Fragrance brand (from $300K annual revenue to $1.5M annual revenue RR in 2020)

• Developed and lead C-Suite Executive Recruitment strategy and execution for Media & Entertainment practice of Global Exec. Search firm

• Advised 5,000+ member church on community connectedness and outreach in the greater Seattle area Merrill Lynch & Co.

Investment Banking Analyst, Financial Institutions Group 2005

• Performed financial modeling and valuation analyses for public and private financial institutions -

(Received full-time return offer as an Analyst)

NOT FOR PROFIT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Family Dinner Foundation

Founder and Chairman 2010 – Current

• Built 50,000+ member 100% volunteer lead global dinner community

• Family Dinner Foundation, Inc. is an international, not for profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to connect the world as a family at and beyond the dinner table

• Inspired by the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation, the foundation launched its first initiative, Our Family Dinner in 2008 which reached nearly 50,000 people across 35 cities. FAITH LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Foundation JC

Chaplain, Marriage Counselor & Spiritual Advisor 2019 – Current Specialize in marriage counseling, spiritual direction, discipleship & chaplain services for professionals & professional organizations.

Renaissance Church NYC

Pastor-in-Residence, Elder + Management Team Member 2015-2016, 2018 – 2019 Director of Community Life, Elder + Management Team Member

• Served in the Harlem-based ministry (Orchard Group Church Plant) and lead efforts on all community- life related projects and initiatives, including identifying, training and supporting Community Group Leaders, developing curriculum and content for Discussion Guides and implementing best practices on community group development, operations, and partnerships HONORS & AWARDS

Presidential Leadership Scholar, Class of 2024 – Selected for a highly competitive leadership development program sponsored by the Presidential Centers of Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and George W. Bush. Recognized for leadership impact across business, education, and social change.

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PUBLISHING & SCHOLARLY CONTRIBUTIONS

The 100 Marriage Decisions & Declarations You Need to Make Before Getting Married Adjah, Lawrence E. The 100 Marriage Decisions & Declarations You Need to Make Before Getting Married. Watch God Work Publishers, 2023. ISBN 979********** (hardcover), 979********** (ebook). Lawrence E. Adjah Reads the Bible: New International Version (NIV): The Complete Bible Adjah, Lawrence E. Lawrence E. Adjah Reads the Bible: New International Version (NIV): The Complete Bible: An Inspiring, Accessible & Relatable Narration in Words You Can Understand. 2024. ISBN 979********** (audiobook). SPEAKING, TRAINING & CORPORATE WORKSHOPS

Just Heal, Bro (justheal.co)

Host and Panelist 2022 – Present

• Just Heal, Bro is a leading global initiative and tour addressing mental health and wellness in black men

• Served as the lead host and panelist for the largest men’s mental health tour focused on men of color globally.

Learning How to Be Human, Again

Corporate Training Speaker, Facilitator (2025 – Present)

• A proprietary workshop equipping leaders and teams to rebuild trust, connection, and mutual care through relational practices that strengthen organizational culture and performance. The Importance of Building a Life as You’re Building a Career Corporate Talk Speaker (2017 – Present)

Finding Friendship in Adulthood

Corporate Talk Speaker (2017 – Present)

The Sleeping Giant of our Time: Loneliness in the Digital Age Corporate Talk Speaker (2017 – Present)

Loneliness in the Digital Age Expert Panelist & Contributor – Various Locations Mental Health and Wellness Panel Moderator – Various Locations

• Lead moderated discussions with a focus on healing across communities, facilitating dialogue between theologians, clinicians, community leaders and activists BOARD MEMBERSHIPS & COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Harvard Black Alumni Society

Advisory Board Member, President Emeritus & Executive Board Member

• Presided over largest Harvard Black Alumni Weekend in history, in terms of attendees and $ raised

• Led largest growth of HBAS with 2x local chapters & alumni membership enrollment + engagement.

• The Urbanworld Film Festival (w/HBO & BET)

Board Member

• New City Kids

National Board Member Emeritus

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Leadership of Leaders

Trusted guide to high-capacity individuals across academic, corporate, ministry, and community settings; adept at developing leaders, shaping teams, and building leader ecosystems.

• Strategic & Systems-Level Problem Solving

McKinsey-trained strategist with expertise in solving complex, multi-stakeholder human and organizational challenges at scale.

• Relational Infrastructure & Community Architecture Designer of scalable, replicable frameworks (including the 5C Mutual Care Framework) that strengthen 4

relational health across universities, cities, churches, corporations, and neighborhoods.

• Faith-Informed Organizational Leadership

Integrates theological insight, pastoral wisdom, and organizational strategy to shape culture, guide leaders, and build healthy institutions.

• Pastoral Care, Counseling & Spiritual Direction

Experienced in mentoring, crisis care, marriage counseling, and spiritual formation for individuals and organizational leaders.

• Public Speaking, Teaching & Facilitation

Accomplished keynote speaker, panel moderator, and educator across ministry, corporate, philanthropic, and academic environments.

• Cross-Sector Fluency

Advises and collaborates effectively with governments, corporations, churches, universities, foundations, and grassroots communities.

• Community Building & Relational Systems Design

Proven ability to design, launch, and scale community initiatives that foster belonging, connection, and mutual care.

• Cultural & Emotional Intelligence

Skilled in navigating complex interpersonal, cultural, and organizational dynamics with humility, clarity, and relational presence.

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